DS group promises to expand business in NE
27th March, 2010, Guwahati

GUWAHATI, MARCH 26 : One of the first corporate groups to make initial investment in Assam several years ago, when the Government had offered tax breaks, busintycoon Dharmpal Satyapal (DS) believed that North-East had immense investment potential, which largely remained untapped. The incentives offered by the Government were also good and since DS Group always believes in treading new paths, the North East Region seemed a perfect fit.
Speaking to EC, Rajiv Kumar, Vice Chairman, MS, DS group said, “The incentives offered by the Government were good and since DS Group always believes in treading new paths, the North East region seemed a perfect fit.” He further added that the decision has paid off well for the group and has been successful in various ventures in this region.
“We have nearly 15 manufacturing units for mouth fresheners, catch products and tobacco, Flexible packaging unit, a State-of-the-art Steel sheet plant and a Rubber Thread unit spread across the North East,” informed Kumar.
Kumar also informed that currently the group has a total investment of approximately, Rupees 450 crore in this region generating opportunities of employment for the local youths as well as raising the standard of living of a particular section of the society.
He further cited the example that before the establishment of the Rubber Plant in Agartala, the rubber planters in the region had a meager source of income. However, with the success of the plant, Tripura Industrial Development Corporation (TIDC) has allocated an area of 17 acres to the company for a new unit at Bodhjungnagar Industrial Area where nearly 12,000 people (3000 farmer families) are earning their living by selling their latex produce to the unit whereas the secondary and tertiary economic activities associated with the plants generate allied employment resulting in general economic, progress of the region.
While expanding the existing business is the forte of the group, the VC admits that as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the group has initiated a number of programmes which includes education, health and self reliance for tribal and ethnic communities.
Efforts towards bringing socio economic development in the area include renovating local schools, financial assistance to state educational institutions, distributing free school kits to the poor children and encourage them to attend  the school. The Group has also started a medical mobile clinic in North-East to facilitate medical aid and assistance to the marginal sections of the society. The medical aid is provided to the areas where basic health facilities are not available and medicines are provided free of cost.
Appreciating the efforts extended by the Government with regard to investment, Kumar said, “The Government is looking at higher accelerated investment in this region, providing improvement in infrastructure and quicker Government clearances which are the utmost need of the hour. Though getting trained manpower is one big problem.”
With more than 12 years of association with the North East, the DS Group maintains that the group is here to stay and expand their business undertakings in different sectors.